London 414 145-2

Decca DFE 8631

This was the second D'Oyly Carte recording to be issued in 1960, the second to feature John Reed, and the second recorded with complete dialogue. The "Thomas"/"George" scene in Act II between Donald Adams and Thomas Round remains one of my favorite G&S dialogue passages on record. Gillian Knight's Fairy Queen and Kenneth Sandford's Private Willis are also strong. I am told that Alan Styler was an excellent performer on stage, but here he sounds a bit stiff. Mary Sansom has a sweet voice, but lacks depth. John Reed is a capable Chancellor, but not as polished as Martyn Green.

It is not well known that Sullivan wrote an expanded orchestration for military band, which was used in the March of the Peers and the Act I finale. This orchestration was featured in the original production at the Savoy Theatre, but it has rarely been heard since then, probably due the the extra expense entailed. This is the only complete recording of the opera that uses the expanded orchestration, making it of special interest. (The Reader's Digest highlights recording also uses the military band.)

Overall, whether this is the Iolanthe for you may depend on how important it is to have the dialogue. If you can forego that, then the Green recording or the New D'Oyly Carte recording (which also includes "Fold your flapping wings") deserves your attention.

Decca 473 641-2